When your patients are in pain, they understandably want something that works fast. But they also need relief that does more than simply mask pain, without the risks to their kidneys, stomach, liver, and heart.

Relieve Inflammation and Relieve Pain
Inflammation is triggered by the release of hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins, especially PGE2, and is sustained by the inflammatory COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) enzyme. While there are plenty of over-the-counter and prescription drugs that address COX-2 inflammation, their reputation is mixed, to say the least.

Natural Inflammation Fighters—Safe, Effective, Fast-Working
What your patients truly need is an anti-inflammatory product that inhibits COX-2 and 5-LOX, without side effects. Two clinically studied herbal ingredients—curcumin and boswellia — can help stop pain and inflammatory damage.

Curcumin is a compound from the herb turmeric (Curcuma longa). In order to boost absorption, a clinically studied curcumin has been combined with turmeric essential oil (also a source of ar-turmerone). It has been shown to stop pain, inflammation, and improve symptoms.

One study followed 45 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, randomized to three groups. Group one received 50 mg of diclofenac sodium twice daily; group two received 500 mg of the curcumin twice daily; and group three received both diclofenac sodium and curcumin. The high-absorption curcumin was more effective than diclofenac sodium at reducing joint pain and swelling. Taking the curcumin with the drug was no more effective than using the botanical alone, and taking the drug alone was less effective.

And the form of supplemental curcumin used in this study not only absorbs better, but also provides a complex of curcuminoids for a greater spectrum of action.

Curcumin’s Natural Partners—Boswellia and More

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), another strong, traditionally used botanical from India, works extremely well with curcumin.

It is especially effective and potent at reducing joint pain associated with arthritis by inhibiting the inflammatory enzyme, 5-LOX. Extracts with a guaranteed amount of AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid) that also are low in β-boswellic acid (which interferes with beneficial activity) can boost the effectiveness of boswellia.

Both the standardized boswellia and enhanced curcumin have also been proven to effectively fight osteoarthritis pain. A clinical study compared the two botanicals to the generic celecoxib (known under the brand name Celebrex^®) for individuals with osteoarthritis and it showed excellent results.

One group received 100 mg of celecoxib twice daily, while the second group received a 500 mg blend of high-absorption curcumin and uniquely standardized boswellic acid extract twice daily.

When it came to relieving pain, 64 percent of those taking the two-herb combination versus 29 percent in the drug group improved to such a high degree that they were able to move from having “moderate to severe arthritis” to “mild to moderate arthritis.” Like the RA study, this research shows that the power of a natural pain-fighting botanical was extremely impressive.

Fighting Inflammation, Improving Mood

The pain reliever DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) contains two forms of the amino acid phenylalanine.  The “l” form improves mood-elevating chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. The “d” form of phenylalanine appears to block a nervous system enzyme (enzyme carboxypeptidase A) that intensifies pain signals. DLPA helps prevent the breakdown of enkephalins, one of the brain’s natural pain-killing substances, which are in the same family as endorphins. DLPA supplements combine the “l” and “d” forms of phenylalanine, which work synergistically to reduce pain and improve mood – two concerns that are interconnected. However, DLPA achieves this balance safely — unlike many prescription drugs.

Many people confuse DLPA (found abundantly in fish, yogurt and tofu) with aspartame (NutraSweet or Equal are two brand names), which also has the amino acid phenylalanine as an ingredient.  These are not the same compounds and do not act in the same way in our body. Aspartame breaks down into an unnatural toxic substance not found in the human diet, which can cause some people to be sick or have migraine headaches.  When DLPA breaks down, it converts to tyrosine, which is a precursor to helpful neurotransmitters like dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine; melanin, a healthy pigment in the skin; and thyroid hormone. It does not metabolize into toxic substances. You can assure your patients that there are no health concerns with DLPA causing migraine headaches or other problems.

Nattokinase—Bringing These Ingredients Together
The third natural partner for curcumin is the enzyme nattokinase. This enzyme extract helps to carry the other ingredients through the blood stream so they can get to where they are needed most—including sore muscles and joints. Nattokinase also helps reduce circulating fibrinogen—a compound that causes stiff muscles and can, over time, actually damage muscle and joint tissue when present in elevated amounts.

Potent Combination
Curcumin, boswellia, DLPA, and nattokinase make one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory and pain relieving combinations you can recommend.

These ingredients will benefit anyone who is suffering from pain, whether it is acute, sudden pain such as a strain, over-exercising, sprains, or any exercise-induced injury, or chronic pain from arthritis, migraine headaches, bursitis, back pain, or any recurring pain.

To safely and effectively relieve pain, enhanced absorption curcumin, standardized boswellia, DLPA, and nattokinase may be recommended one to three times daily under the guidance of a practitioner.